retaining wall/planter ?

[rfuerst911sc]

At some point I have to address a retaining wall around my detached garage . I was thinking a retaining wall either out of 6x6's or stackable stone blocks . Originally I was going to build to the height of the existing elevation which is 5 ' at it's highest . But now that I think about it some more maybe a partial height wall maybe 3 ' high that could serve as a planter also . The GA. clay earth walls there now have crumbled down very little in almost 18 months time . So I'm thinking hold the walls back maybe 18 " - 24 " from the excavated dirt and that could be my planter . Hope that makes sense

I can easily do that on the two sides which are pics # 1 + 2 . On the back wall where you see the house wrap on the ground I will only be able to hold the wall back maybe 12 " at the most . The two sides get partial sun ( aprox. 1/2 day ) while the back is mostly shaded by the garage . So what kinds of plants would you grow ? Ground cover ? A hedge type of plant ? The goal here is to help retain some earth wall , add some decoration/color and not be too much work to maintain . In these pics I still have a little bit of excavation to do on the back and I have to fill some dirt on both sides to slope away from the building . Gravel will be the final product as my walkway about 5 - 6 " deep . Fire away with suggestions please

[RWebb]

dig out until it is plenty wide enough as walking path and/or hand truck haul path for garage

those sloping stackable concrete blocks should work - limit is 3 ft here

[VincentVega]

dig out until it is plenty wide enough as walking path and/or hand truck haul path for garage

I would go back further if only get equipment in to work on the wall. You'll need a footer and solid base. I wouldnt want to carry that in by hand. At least wheel barrow room, better bobcat or at least a dingo.

[rfuerst911sc]

There is plenty of room on the sides no additional digging is required . The back I do have some hand work to do directly behind the compressor room which is the portion of building that juts out . I have a JD diesel garden tractor with a mini front end loader so it won't be that bad . And if I go with stack blocks the loader will be used to move them . But back on topic what type of plants ?

[VincentVega]

Anything you can grow will help, really depends on what you like to look at. Forsythia looks great for 2 weeks a year and puts down roots, but you need to prune it. Ornamental grasses also work in this application, as do Azeleas. All work in shade.

[Jim Richards]

Camillas like partial (afternoon) shade. We grew them on the east side of our old Norcross house.

[Zeke]

I'd keep the wall as tight to the higher ground as possible. Putting a planter, e.g., a softer soil, against the high ground will make things worse, IMO. If you want a planter, do a double row of your intended construction and use braces or kickers along the outer wall that won't be seen when you backfill the planter. This way you can use less of a footing and less strength along the outer wall. The inner wall only needs to be strong enough to hold the soil. I would also step the planter fill down about 1/3 of the total height at the highest point and keep level as far as it makes sense.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

... . But back on topic what type of plants ?

that looks like lateritic soil - which fits for the Southeast

contact your county Ag. Ext. agent (usually at a x State Univ., not a Univ. of x school but not sure re Ga., likely not Ga. State u.) - they are usually delighted to help homeowners (it must count well on their scorecard as they are supposed to & are funded to provide help to all sectors)

they will give you several options some of which will work for your clearance, others not

[A930Rocket]

Kudzu?

I like Zeke’s idea.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Kudzu?

I like Zeke’s idea.

I will pretend you didn't mention Kudzu it is the Kracken plant of the south it makes bamboo look like a dandelion